(Judah) had offered to be answerable for his life; and the grievous fact, that if they returned without the youth, they must bring down the grey hairs of their father with sorrow to the grave.
verses 21-26
To “ set eyes upon him” signifies, with a gracious intention, to show him good-will (as in Jer 39:12; Jer 40:4).
Verse 27
“ That my wife bore to me two (sons):” Jacob regards Rachel alone as his actual wife (cf. Gen 46:19).
==verses 28-29== Gen 44:28-29 ואמר, preceded by a preterite, is to be rendered “ and I was obliged to say, Only (nothing but) torn in pieces has he become.”
verses 30-32
“ His soul is bound to his soul:” equivalent to, “he clings to him with all his soul.”
verses 33-34
Judah closed his appeal with the entreaty, “ Now let thy servant (me) remain instead of the lad as slave to my lord, but let the lad go up with his brethren; for how could I go to my father without the lad being with me! (I cannot,) that I may not see the calamity which will befall my father!”
Chap. 45
==Verse 1== The Recognition. - Gen 45:1. After this appeal, in which Judah, speaking for his brethren, had shown the tenderest affection for the old man who had been bowed down by their sin, and the most devoted fraternal love and fidelity to the only remaining son of his beloved Rachel, and had given a sufficient proof of the change of mind, the true conversion, that had taken place in themselves, Joseph could not restrain himself any longer in relation to all those who stood round him. He was obliged to relinquish the part which he had hitherto acted for the purpose of testing his brothers' hearts, and to give full vent to his feelings. “ He called out: Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man (of his Egyptian attendants) with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brethren,” quia effusio illa affectuum et στοργῆς erga fratres et parentem tanta fuit, ut non posset ferre alienorum praesentiam et aspectum ( Luther).
verses 2-3
As soon as all the rest were gone, he broke out into such loud weeping, that the Egyptians outside could hear it; and the house of Pharaoh, i.e., the royal family, was told of it (cf. Gen 45:2 and Gen 45:16). He then said to his brethren: “ I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” That his father was still living, he
